This project shows you how to create, implement and deploy graphical logic designs to the Digilent Cmod S6 board, using Multisim.
The Cmod, or Carrier Module, family of products is designed to offer quick, simple, and flexible integration of an FPGA into circuit design, prototyping, and learning/hobby projects. Digilent Cmod S6 is a small, 48-pin DIP form factor board built around a Xilinx® Spartan®-6 LX4 FPGA that brings FPGA power and prototyping to a solderless breadboard. The board includes a programming ROM, clock source, USB programming and data transfer circuit, power supplies, and basic I/O devices.
Cmod S6 Breadboardable Spartan-6 FPGA Module
NI Multisim is built upon industry-standard SPICE simulation. Its Programmable Logic Device (PLD) Schematic integrates simulation and hardware. It enables users to program a list of selected Xilinx FPGA devices directly from Multisim environment, making the connection between theoretical concepts and hardware implementation even easier. Users can use Multisim to implement digital logic on the Cmod S6.
NI Multisim PLD Schematic
How to setup the Multisim PLD Design
First of all, users need to download and install the following software and drivers:
- Multisim 14.0.1
- NI LabVIEW FPGA Xilinx ISE 14.7 Tools/Digilent Drivers
- Xilinx ISE 14.7
After any installation, make sure to restart the computer.
Once you have installed the required software and driver, you are ready to program the FPGA board.
Open Multisim, create a new PLD design, click the Use standard configuration down arrow and select your board. The New PLD Design dialog also allows users to select which peripherals you will use in your design. In this tutorial the LED LED0 and the push button BTN0 are selected They are placed on the workspace.
Create a PLD Schematic in Multisim
Select Place Component, .e.g. AND Gate and place another connector for the AND gate input by click the Input connector icon on the toolbar. Then, select BTN1 as another peripheral to be connected
Select AND Gate from PLD Logic group, Logic gates family
Input connector icon. Wire the AND gate to the connectors.
Export the Design to the FPGA
There are three options for exporting the digital logic from the PLD schematic:
- Programming the connected PLD directly to the FPGA.
Generate and save a programming file Generate and save the VHDL toexport the VHDL netlist and code. In this tutorial, we show you how to program the FPGA board directly from the Multisim environment.
Select Transfer»Export to PLD. Click the Program the connected PLD radio button.
In the Select a tool to use area, select the Xilinx tool for you board. For this project, NI LabVIEW FPGA Xilinx ISE 14.7 (64-bit) is selected.
Connect the Cmod S6 to a computer and make sure it is on. Click the Refresh button. The Detected message will appear if the board is detected by your computer. Click the Finish button to begin programming the board.
Multisim will automatically open the Xilinx tool in the background and perform all the requires steps to program the FPGA, no user interacting is required. Once the FPGA is programmed, Multisim will display a message on the Spreadsheet View. You can now test the design built in Multisim on the real-hardware.
The step-by-step tutorial is at NI Knowledge. Discover more guides and tutorials on the Cmod S6 on the Digilent Reference Page.
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